Safety bottle cap



Dec. 23, 1969 w. TuNsTALl. 3,485,402

` SAFETY BOTTLE CAP Filed may e, 1968 ll'l'llll l INVENTOR. W/zfw Taf/arm BY fa/va mfr o/'ney United States Patent O 3,485,402 SAFETY BOTTLE CAP Wilfred Tunstall, 12874 2nd St., Yucaipa, Calif. 92399 Filed May a, 196s, ser. No. 727,627 Int. Cl. B6Sd 55/02 U.S. Cl. 215-9 6 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for safety capping bottles or containers comprising a conventional cap having a surrounding cover pivotally mounted thereon; the cap and cover having oppositely disposed aligning key holes therein: A lever armed key having spaced key hole receiving prongs secures the cap tightly, is then detached for safety but is again insertable in the cover and cap to release the cap.

One of the objects of the invention s to provide a pivoted cover and key actuated device for safety securement and release of the conventional bottle or container cap.

Another object of the invention lies in the use of a lever actuated detachable key that can be safely stored to prevent unauthorized bottle cap release.

Yet another object of the invention is in the provision of additional washer packing of the conventional cap.

There have been many efforts to provide a safety bottle cap. They are usually complicated devices and require special manipulation. The fundamental theory of applicants invention lies in the freely rotatable surrounding cover and the arrangement of the aligning key holes that can only be actuated by a leverage type key of special design.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, herewith, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional View showing the invention applied to a small bottle;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view partially in section showing the key releasing means;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view partially in section showing a modification of the device attached to a larger bottle or container;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a partial sectional view showing another modification;

FIGURE 7 is a partial sectional view of s till another modification; and

FIGURE 8 is a schematic view of a modified key structure.

The drawings disclose several modifications of the safety bottle cap structure but they are all fundamentally the same. In FIGURES l, 2, and 3, the safety device is attached to a small bottle for pills or the like and of course uids. A bottle 10 has a conventional screw cap 12 threaded thereon. The cap 12 has a surrounding cover 14 pivotally attached to a screw 16 that is threadedly or otherwise attached to the cap 12 at 18. The screw 16 has a rivet end to prevent withdrawal. The cap 12 is key holed at 22 in a dual opposed manner and the cover ice 14 is also key holed at 24 in the same manner. The key holes are arranged for alignment when the pivoted cover is moved to overlying position as shown in FIGURE 2. A locking and releasing key 26 has a lever end 28 and spaced prongs 30 that lit into the aligned key holes 22 and 24, respectively. It is obvious that the protective cover 14 prevents any linger manipulation of the cap 12 but is moveable thereover to permit key insertion to tighten the cap as Well as release it with a leverage action. A gasket 32 is placed over the bottle opening and underneath the cap 12 to prevent leakage if the bottle is filled with fluid.

The drawings show modifications of the safety bottle cap as applied to larger bottles or containers. In FIGURE 4, a washer 34 is riveted in plural manner at 36 to the underside of the cap 12 and a longer screw 38 is connected thereto in the manner heretofore` described. Dual key holes 40 extend into the washer 34. A gasket 42 prevents leakage as before described.

FIGURE 6 shows a modification wherein a washer 44 is riveted or screw connected above the bottle cap 12. The remaining elements have the same arrangement.

FIGURE 7 shows another modification in which dual Washers 46 and `48 are placed and below the cap 12. The other elements are arranged and operated as described above.

FIGURE 8 shows a modified key 50 of a vertical type which has similar dual prongs 52. The key 50 is apertured at 54 to receive a nail 56 or other means which applies leverage to the key.

The operation of the safety cap structure is believed clear. The bottle cap is quickly and safely attached. It can only be released by a special key in the possession of an adult or desired person.

I claim:

1. A safety bottle cap device; comprising:

a conventional bottle cap having opposed key hole openings;

a completely surrounding cover for the cap pivoted thereon and having opposed key hole openings that may be aligned with the openings in the cap; and

a lever armed key having opposed prongs insertable in the aligned openings to tighten the cap and to release it when desired.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which a gasket is disposed underneath the cap.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which a key holed washer is secured to a pivot pin for the cap and cover, the washer being secured under the cap.

4. A device set forth in claim 1 in which a key holed washer is disposed above the cap and about a cover pivot pin.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which washers are secured above and below the cap and have a key holed pivot pin extending therethrough.

6. A device as `set forth in claim 1 in which the key is an opposed pronged apertured vertical member and a nail or otherwise is insertable in the apertures to provide key leverage.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,359,639 10/1944 Hanahan 2.15--9 XR GEORGE T. HALL, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 215-43, 46 

